ISTANBUL (AP) — Syria’s opposition has urged the U.S. Congress to approve military action against President Bashar Assad.

“Dictatorships like Iran and North Korea are watching closely to see how the free world responds to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people,” the Syrian opposition coalition said in a statement Sunday. “If the free world fails to respond to such an outrageous breach of international norms, dictators around the world will be encouraged in their efforts to follow the example set by Assad.”

On Saturday, President Barack Obama said he would seek congressional approval for a military strike against the Syrian government in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack.

The opposition also said a U.S. attack should be accompanied by more arms being sent to the rebels.